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  • DistroTV expands distribution, now streaming free on VIZIO Smart TVs

    DistroTV expands distribution, now streaming free on VIZIO Smart TVs

    Mumbai: DistroTV, the nation’s largest, independent, free, ad-supported streaming TV (Fast) app on Friday announced that it is expanding its content offerings to Vizio. Now millions of Vizio users can stream DistroTV’s impressive and diverse content lineup — 270 channels and growing plus thousands of hours of VOD content — for free, anytime on the VIZIO Smart TV platform.

    DistroTV features over 270 multicultural channels and is growing, with everything from news, sports, movies, music & entertainment, and lifestyle content. This includes original content and new channel offerings that cater to English, Southeast Asian / Indian and Spanish-speaking audiences, as well as a recently released channel bundle that targets the African community. It is available to stream for free in over 60 markets through its apps on streaming devices and smart TVs, as well as worldwide on the web through Distro.tv, the platform truly features something for every viewer. No registration, sign-up, or fees are required.

    DistroTV’s comprehensive streaming library includes:

    -An impressive wave of new channels available to stream for free that appeal to DistroTV’s core US, UK, and Canadian audiences which includes a total of.

    -45 sports channels, with the most diverse collection of live & linear mainstream sports, combat sports, niche sports and outdoors channels, like stadium, beIN Sports Xtra, Swerve Sports, Impact Wrestling Channel, Fightnetwork, Wired2Fish, ACL Cornhole, MotoAmerica TV and FuelTV.

    -Broad array of diverse movies & entertainment channels including CineLife by Magnolia Pictures, Kweli TV, Watch It Scream, FrightFlix, Bowery Classics, Dark Matter, CinePride and many more.

    -13 documentary channels, including Goalcast, Magellan TV, Beautiful Planet & True History.
     
    -Notable new additions to the entertainment, lifestyle & food category, including AXS TV Now, Trace Urban, Bite, Planet Eat, and GustoTV.

    -A total of 21 spanish-language channels are available in North America, such as Estrella, beIN Sports XTRA Ñ, Top Cine, Canela.TV, Trace Latina, Casa Comedy and Spanglish and more spanish language entertainment, movie, documentaries, news and sports channels.

    -36 live streaming DistroTV Desi South Asian news, entertainment, and music channels featuring WION, TimesNow, Mastiii, Epic, MirrorNow, BritAsia and much more.

    -African channel bundle, DistroTV Africa, featuring 11 entertainment and music-oriented channels available to stream for free.

    -Providing audiences in the US and Canada with home screen access to must-have apps like Apple TV+, BET+, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, FuboTV, Netflix, Paramount+, Peacock, Prime Video and YouTube TV, VIZIO users now have round-the-clock access to DistroTV.

    -VIZIO and DistroTV are aligned in their missions to provide content and access for everyone; including movies and syndicated TV shows in the sports, kids and family, news, lifestyle, gaming, and music categories, and more.

    “We are thrilled to join the VIZIO family, particularly at a time when we are continuing to grow our viewership and channel content at a rapid pace,” said DistroScale co-founder & CEO Navdeep Saini. “By expanding our distribution via VIZIO Smart TVs, we can continue to provide audiences with the content they crave, and all while maintaining our FAST no-sign up, credit card or email required model.”

    DistroScale Country Head-India Vikas Khanchandani said, “US has over 87 per cent homes with at least one Connected TV and other western countries are seeing scale as well. Vizio is one of the largest CTV players in the US market and brings access to a large viewership base within Vizio for Indian content owners. It’s an opportunity to tap into the large advertising market in the US and other western countries and simultaneously combat piracy in those markets. FAST (Free Ad Supported Television) is bringing the lean-back linear experience for users on television and is solving for content discovery with sharper defined cohorts. Distro is focussed on building a very strong South Asian bouquet of content for the diaspora audiences across the world and bring in the ad monetisation through its vast global advertising footprint.”

    “VIZIO appreciates DistroTV’s dedication to building personalized experiences for today’s streaming audience,” said VIZIO’s senior director of business development Chris Tanquary. “VIZIO strives to be a place where viewers have endless entertainment options across all categories and genres so there is something for everyone,” Tanquary added.

     

  • ViacomCBS and Google announce expanded distribution agreement

    ViacomCBS and Google announce expanded distribution agreement

    MUMBAI: ViacomCBS and Google have announced a comprehensive, multi-year distribution agreement to deliver more content from ViacomCBS’ leading portfolio of news, entertainment and sports networks for YouTube TV subscribers. In addition to featuring continued carriage of CBS broadcast stations, CBS Sports Network, Pop TV, Smithsonian Channel, and The CW, the expanded agreement introduces 14 ViacomCBS channels to the live TV and on-demand subscription service.

    BET, CMT, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, TV Land and VH1 will launch on YouTube TV this summer, providing more than two million subscribers with access to some of the most popular cable brands. BET Her, MTV2, Nick Jr., NickToons, TeenNick and MTV Classic will also launch on YouTube TV at a later date.

    The deal also includes a continued commitment to distribute ViacomCBS’ premium subscription services, including SHOWTIME, on YouTube TV, as well as an extended partnership on the broader YouTube platforms.

    “We are thrilled to have reached an expanded agreement with YouTube TV that recognizes the full power of our newly combined portfolio as ViacomCBS,” said Ray Hopkins, president, US Networks Distribution, ViacomCBS. “Google has been an excellent partner, and we look forward to bringing even more of our entertainment networks to YouTube TV subscribers for the first time.”

    "We're excited to launch ViacomCBS' portfolio on YouTube TV this summer, " said Lori Conkling, global head of partnerships at YouTube TV. "Our expanded partnership delivers on our promise to offer a premium portfolio of content to our YouTube TV subscribers, as well as across the YouTube platforms."

     YouTube TV is a subscription streaming service that lets you watch live and on-demand TV from 70+ top networks through a simple and award-winning experience. It offers live & local sports, news, shows, movies, and more, and can be watched on any screen (phone, tablet, TV, computer). Membership comes with free unlimited cloud DVR storage space to record all your favourites, personalized watch recommendations, and a family plan with 6 accounts per household so the whole family can enjoy.

    Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

  • Viacom net earnings plummet on restructuring & programming charges

    BENGALURU: Viacom Inc (Viacom) reported a steep decline of 60.1 percent in net earnings for the quarter ended 31 March 2017 (Q2-17, current quarter) as compared to the corresponding year ago quarter – year-on-year (y-o-y). Operating income decreased 43.3 percent y-o-y in the current quarter. The company in its earnings release says that reported operating income reflects restructuring and programming charges of $280 million resulting from the execution of new strategic initiatives, including the prioritization of six flagship brands: BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. and Paramount.

    Net earnings attributable to Viacom for Q2-17 were $121 million as compared to $309 million in Q2-16. Operating income for Q2-17 was $332 million as compared to $586 million in the corresponding year ago quarter.

    Viacom reported 8.5 percent y-o-y increase in revenue for Q2-17 at $3,256 million as compared to $3,001 million reported for the corresponding year ago quarter.

    Viacom president and CEO Bob Bakish said, “In the second quarter, Viacom delivered continued top-line improvement, with growth in affiliate revenues, international media networks and across every business segment of Paramount Pictures. Additionally, we executed quickly on our strategic plan, making significant organizational changes to better focus and align Viacom’s brand portfolio and ensure strong leadership, including the appointment of Jim
    Gianopulos to chart a new course at Paramount. We are working diligently to cement Viacom as a partner of choice in the industry, presenting new and reinvigorated brand strategies for our advertisers, producing creative and flexible new opportunities with our distributors and recommitting ourselves to be the home for the world’s best talent.”

    “Viacom also took significant steps forward on our plan to strengthen our balance sheet, improve our leverage profile and enhance liquidity. Since the end of our first fiscal quarter, we completed a successful hybrid debt offering, redeemed outstanding debt and executed on the sale of non-core assets, including the pending sale of our stake in EPIX. There is a lot of work still to do, but we are making important changes at Viacom, taking substantial strides towards revitalizing our portfolio of brands and returning the company to consistent top-line growth,” Bakish added.

    The company has two major segments – Media Networks and Filmed Entertainment.

    Media Networks

    Media Networks revenue for the current quarter increased y-o-y by a marginal 0.5 percent despite a 1.2 percent decline in advertising sales. The segment reported revenue of $2,394 million for Q2-17 as compared to $2,381 million in Q2-16. Adjusted operating income declined 7.2 percent to $747 million from $845 million in the year ago quarter.

    Media Networks advertising revenue declined 1.2 percent y-o-y in Q2-17 to $1,109 million from $1,123 million. Worldwide advertising revenues increased 1 percent, excluding a 2-percentage point unfavourable impact from foreign exchange. Domestic advertising revenues decreased 4 percent, driven by higher pricing more than offset by lower impressions. International advertising revenues increased 11 percent. Excluding foreign exchange, which had an 11-percentage point unfavourable impact, international advertising revenues grew 22 percent. The gains in international advertising were driven by the acquisition of Telefe, which had a 17- percentage point favourable impact, and continued growth in Europe says Viacom.

    Affiliate revenue in the current quarter increased 2.4 percent y-o-y to $1,156 million from $1,129 million. Domestic and international affiliate revenues increased 1 percent to $975 million and 10 percent to $181 million, respectively. The growth in domestic revenues principally reflects rate increases, partially offset by a modest decline in subscribers and a decline in revenues from SVOD and other OTT agreements. Excluding foreign exchange, which had a 4-percentage point unfavourable impact, international affiliate revenues increased 14 percent. The increase in international revenues reflected the impact of rate increases, subscriber growth and new channel launches, as well as higher revenues from SVOD and other OTT agreements. International affiliate growth included a 4-percentage point favourable impact from the acquisition of Telefe.

    Ancillary revenue was flat y-o-y t $129 million. Domestic ancillary revenues decreased 8 percent to $70 million while international ancillary revenues increased 11 percent to $59 million.

    Filmed Entertainment

    Filmed Entertainment revenues grew 36.6 percent to $895 million in Q2-17 from $655 million, reflecting gains in theatrical, licensing, home entertainment and ancillary revenues. Domestic revenues increased 25 percent to $458 million in the quarter, while international revenues increased 51 percent to $437 million.

    Filmed Entertainment segment’s adjusted operating loss narrowed to less than half $66 million from an operating loss of $136 million in Q2-16. The company says that the improvement principally reflected the various revenue increases, partially offset by higher operating expenses.

    Theatrical revenues rose 10 percent to $238 million, with revenues from current quarter releases up 73 percent compared to releases from Q2-16. Domestic theatrical revenues decreased 45 percent, while international theatrical revenues grew 98 percent, reflecting the strong international performance of xXx: Return of Xander Cage. Foreign exchange had a 3-percentage point favourable impact on international theatrical revenues.

    Licensing revenues increased 45 percent to $347 million in the quarter, primarily driven by Paramount Television production, as well as higher revenues from licensing arrangements with pay television and SVOD distributors. Domestic licensing revenues grew 85 percent, while international licensing revenues increased 24 percent.

    Home entertainment revenues increased 29 percent to $198 million in the quarter, reflecting the number and mix of current quarter releases. Domestic and international home entertainment revenues increased 23 percent and 49 percent respectively. Foreign exchange had a 5-percentage point unfavourable impact on international home entertainment revenues.

    Ancillary revenues increased 149 percent to $112 million, primarily driven by the sale of a partial copyright interest in certain current year releases related to a film slate financing arrangement. Domestic ancillary revenues increased 158 percent to $93 million while international ancillary revenues increased 111 percent to $19 million.

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  • Viacom to roll out mobile TV apps suite across 180 countries in Q4-2015

    Viacom to roll out mobile TV apps suite across 180 countries in Q4-2015

    MUMBAI: Viacom has launched a suite of mobile TV apps under the brand name Viacom Play Plex, which will allow its distribution partners to offer smartphone and tablet users around the world access to the best content from all its international TV brands, anytime and anywhere.

     

    Starting in the fourth quarter of 2015, the Viacom Play Plex apps will be available to launch in every one of the 180 international territories in which Viacom owns and operates TV channels, including India.

     

    There will be a separate mobile Play app for each of Viacom’s international TV channel brands namely Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Channel, Spike and BET – offering video-on-demand (VOD) access to a range of current and library content, as well as a live, local linear stream of the relevant channel, and other content including games for Nick Play.

     

    Viacom is exploring a number of different distribution options for Viacom Play Plex, with the suite of apps being offered on both a collective and standalone basis to existing pay TV partners in every territory to integrate into their TV Everywhere services where available. A number of pay TV providers have already signed deals with Viacom to offer subscribers authenticated access to the Nick app, including NOS in Portugal, while Viacom is collaborating with a number of other providers on upcoming launches including Foxtel in Australia and OSN in the Middle East and North Africa region. The Nick app, which has been rolled out in five international markets since 2013, is being updated and rebranded as Nick Play internationally to become part of Viacom Play Plex.

     

    Viacom will also look for new distribution partners for the Viacom Play Plex apps, including mobile network operators.

     

    Viacom International Media Networks president and CEO Bob Bakish said, “Viacom Play Plex offers us maximum flexibility in distributing our content as the way viewers consume their favorite TV shows continues to evolve. These apps are designed to complement our linear pay TV channels and to allow our existing distribution partners to deepen and improve the entertainment experience they offer their subscribers. But, Viacom Play Plex also opens up new distribution opportunities for us, particularly in the fast-growing mobile TV sector, and, ultimately, positions us to succeed in a world of more personalised entertainment services and greater consumer choice.”

     

    Each branded Play app will be localised for each country in which it is made available, both in terms of language and available content, giving users more ways to access Viacom’s shows such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Catfish: The TV Show and Lip Sync Battle, as well as local productions.

     

    Mobile TV viewers everywhere will enjoy an intuitive, video-focused user interface and enhanced video player, which reduces loading and buffering times, as well as an algorithmic menu that adapts to their tastes. Apps will include social and sharing components, and will be available in both iOS and Android to download from the Apple App store and Google Play store respectively.

     

    Bakish added, “Viacom Play Plex allows viewers across the globe to watch the TV shows they love from their favorite Viacom brands anytime and anywhere. We believe no other international entertainment company is offering this type of innovation at this scale, serving every major demographic in every major TV market.”

  • 22 Viacom channels now on Sony web TV

    22 Viacom channels now on Sony web TV

    MUMBAI: Viacom has announced a deal with Sony to make 22 of its channels including Comedy Central and MTV, available for Sony’s forthcoming over-the-top (OTT) TV service in US.

     

    The Viacom channels will be available when the new service launches, the company said in a statement. Customers also will have access to on-demand programming from Viacom.

     

    It is the first time Viacom has agreed to provide its channels for an internet-based live TV and video on demand service, the company added.

     

    Confirming the collaboration, Sony Corporation Network Entertainment Business’ group executive Andrew House said, “Viacom’s award-winning channels are a perfect match for our new service, ensuring that our customers will be able to access the shows they love on their favourite devices, when and how they choose.”

     

    “Our new cloud-based TV service will combine the live TV content people love most about cable with the dynamic experience they have come to expect from our network,” he added.

     

    Scheduled to start later this year, the service is expected to bring live TV and on-demand programming to Sony’s network of 75 million internet-enabled Sony devices in US, including PlayStation game consoles and web-connected televisions.

     

    Excited about the new alliance, Viacom president and CEO Philippe Dauman said, “Given our young, tech-savvy audiences, our networks are essential for any new distribution platform, and we’re excited to be among the many programmers that will help power Sony’s new service and advance a new era for television.”

     

    The new Sony service will give people the ability to watch shows like Spongebob Squarepants and The Daily Show without a cable subscription. Viewers will be able to access the service through Sony’s PlayStation video game console or through mobile devices like the iPad. Users will have access to live streams as well as archived shows.

     

    The 22 Viacom linear networks includes BET, CMT, Comedy Central, MTV, MTV2, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Nicktoons, Spike, TV Land and VH1, BET Gospel, Centric, Logo, CMT Pure Country, MTV Hits, MTV James, mtvU, Palladia, TeenNick, Vh1 Classic and Vh1 Soul and all available HD.

     

    Beyond Viacom, the service is expected to include content from other major network groups. According to media reports, Sony has held talks with Discovery Communications, Time Warner and Starz, among others, about including their networks in the new service.

  • Netflix has 36 mn subscribers; posts $3 mn profit

    Netflix has 36 mn subscribers; posts $3 mn profit

    MUMBAI: OTT subscription service Netflix has reported better than expected first quarter results resulting in its stock appreciating by over 20 per cent. It now has 36 million subscribers. During the first quarter three million were added.

    For the first time the company‘s revenue in a quarter touched $one billion. The company managed to record profits of $ one million compared to a loss of $five million during the same period last year.

    Netflix added a million streaming subscribers in its markets outside the US. It plans to launch in a new European market in the second half of the year. In the US it added 2.02 million new customers. On the content side it has discontinued its deal with Viacom. Netflix will stream content from Nickelodeon, BET and MTV till the end of next month. After that it will let the deal expire. But the company is looking at a deal where it can stream some of Viacom‘s shows. The focus of Netflix is on exclusive content.

    Netflix CEO Reed Hastings and CFO David Wells in a letter to shareholders wrote, “The launch of ‘House of Cards‘ provided a halo effect on our entire service. Customer response to the show increased our confidence in our ability to pick shows Netflix members will embrace and to pick partners skilled at delivering a great series”.

    Netflix‘s share price has crossed $200 compared to a 52 week low of $52 in August.

  • Mobile content service firm Motricity gets $50 mn investment from Carl Icahn

    Mobile content service firm Motricity gets $50 mn investment from Carl Icahn

    MUMBAI: The US based Motricity, which provides mobile content services and solutions has announced the completion of $50 million in equity funding from Carl Icahn, through an affiliated company.

    It has also appointed Brett Icahn, an investment analyst with Icahn Associates and affiliated companies, to the Motricity board of directors.

    Motricity chairman and CEO Ryan Wuerch says, “Carl has proven himself as one of the leading investors of all time, with an incredible ability to identify top performing companies and drive shareholder value. This investment bolsters our balance sheet and positions us to continue to aggressively grow the business and consolidate the industry.”

    Over the past year, Motricity’s business has expanded substantially, quadrupling its customer base to include some of the leading wireless operators and media and entertainment companies, including Cingular, Alltel, Sprint, Tracfone, MTV, BET, NBC, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, Turner and several others.

    icahn says, “Motricity has an excellent management team and leading technology. They are well positioned for dominance in mobile content, a sector for which we forecast strong growth in the coming years.”

    Motricity is provides mobile content services and solutions that enable consumers to receive the right content at the right time, every time. Its solutions create end user experiences and deliver mobile content offerings for partners such as MTV, BET, CBS, NBC, Turner, Cingular, Alltel, Sprint Nextel and Palm. Its mobile content delivery platform, Fuel, received the 2006 GSM Association Award for “Best Service Delivery Platform” and was also named 2005 Premium Mobile Content Platform of the Year by Frost and Sullivan.

  • Paramount Pictures to premiere ‘M:i:III’ trailer across MTV Networks

    Paramount Pictures to premiere ‘M:i:III’ trailer across MTV Networks

    MUMBAI: Paramount Pictures will premiere an exclusive look at this summer’s most highly anticipated action-thriller, Mission: Impossible III (M:i:III) as Tom Cruise introduces the new trailer across MTV Networks on 16 March.

    The trailer will air simultaneously on MTV, MTV2, VH1, CMT, BET and Spike TV on 16 March, one day before it runs in any movie theater. The exclusive material will also be available on the internet at mtv.com, mtv2.com, vh1.com, cmt.com, spiketv.com, and at iFilm.

    The film, starring Tom Cruise and directed by J.J. Abrams, the creator of Lost and Alias, opens in theaters in the US on 5 May 2006.

    Paramount Pictures president of worldwide motion picture marketing Gerry Rich said, “Tom and J.J. have come through with an amazing action movie and we think viewers across MTV networks will agree that M:i:III is the first must-see event film of the summer. When you’ve got the goods, it’s exciting to be able to share it with the audience in a special way. We’re thrilled to be pulling out all the stops with our partners at the MTV Networks.”

    Cruise returns as special agent Ethan Hunt, who faces the mission of his life in Mission: Impossible III. Abrams brings his unique blend of action and drama to the billion-dollar franchise.